WORCESTERSHIRE has enough sixth form places for the next five to 10 years and will not get any more.

That is the verdict from the county council, which has decided to endorse a recommendation from the Learning and Skills Council.

Education bosses at the County Hall praised a report stating that no major action should be taken to increase the number of post-16 education places.

County Hall accepted the advice despite the fact it did not take into account the future housing expansion in Worcestershire as part of the regional spatial strategy.

Under the housing plans another 62,300 homes could be created in the county by the year 2026.

Coun Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The Learning and Skills Council has carried out a thorough piece of independent work, which I have been involved in from the start.

"The review of post-16 education does not take into account the regional spatial strategy, because it had to deal with known data rather than speculation.

"I am satisfied that the quality and number of places are available.

"Schools and colleges across Worcestershire were fully involved and information was shared with them right the way throughout this process."

In November the head of Worcester Sixth Form College John Tredwell said the Spetchley Road college was full to bursting, and desperately needed a new extension.

The decision has also been criticised by Sean Devlin, head at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, who said it "flew in the face" of parental choice.

The county council cabinet voted unanimously in favour of accepting the findings that no major action takes place to increase the number of learning places.